Windmill



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-#Sheet 1.

` C. BROWN.

3`Sheets--Sheet 2.

Patented Jan. 3, 1888.

' (No Model.)

C. BROWN.

WINDMILL.

UNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARY BROVN, OF FORT ATKINSON, VISCONSIN.

WlNDlVllLL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 375,729, dated January 3, 18S8 Application filed January 2G, 1857. Serial No. 225.569. (No model.)

To all whom it www] concern.-

Be it known that I, CARY BROWN, of Fort Atkinson, in the county of Jefferson and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in \Vindmills, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of rudder less windmills in which feathering-blades are employed; and the invention consists in various features and details hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved windmill; Fig. 2, a face view, and Fig. 3 an edge or side view, of the same; Fig. 4, a vertical central section through the wheel; Fig. l5, an edge view of two of the blades, showing the manner of construction; Fig. 6, an enlarged view, partly in section, of the upright column or turn-table; Fig. 7, a section on the line x x of Fig. 6, Fig. 8, a section on the line y y of Fig. 3; and Figs. 9 and 10, views illustrating the construction of the automatic governor.

A indicates a substantial framing, tower, or mast, carrying at its upper end a hollow extension or casing, A', as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and (i, the casing heilig provided at its upper end with a cap or cover, A?. This cap or cover is secured rigidly to the top of casing A, and is provided with an upright tubular post, A3, as shown in Figs. l, 3, 6, and 7.

`Near the upper end of post A3 is secured a collar, A", upon which and a similar collar, A5, near the base of the post A3, rests the wheel-carrying frame B,which,with the wheel, stands away behind the post A3, or on the side away from the wind. This frame B comprises a cap, B', to fit upon the upper end of post A3 or the collar A, a collar, B2, to fit upon the collar`A5; bars B3, connecting the cap B with the collar B2; a tubular arm, Bt, having a forked inner end, which is connected to the collar B2, and, finally, braces B5, connecting cap B with tubular arm B", as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 3, 6, and 7. From this construction it will be seen that the frame B may be swung in a horizontal plane about the tubular post A3, so as to present the wheel always to the wind.

Within the tubular arm B* isjournaled the wind-wheel shaft C, to the outer end of which is secured the wheel D, as shown in Figs. 4, 7,

and 8, the inner end of the shaft O being pro vided with a crank-arm, O', as shown in Figs. '1, 3, and 7.

E indicates the pnmprod, which extends upward vertically through the' casing A and tubular post A, the rod E being hollow or tubular at its upper end and provided with arms or guides E within the casing A', as shown in Fig. 6. These arms, it will be noticed, are separated a distance from each other, and bear against the inner faces of the hollow casing to guide or steady the rod in its move ments. Near its upper end the rod E is provided with a collar, El, having a concave npper face, as shown in Fig. 6, said collar being adapted to receive a correspondingly-formed arm, E3, projecting laterally from the upper end of the pitman Et, attached to the crank arm C. It will be noticed that the upper face of the arm E3 is also made concave to receive a nut or collar, El', secured upon the rod E and bearing upon the arm.

The arm E3 is of course to be perforated 'to encircle the rod E, and, as shown in Fig. 6, the perforation will be larger than the diameter of the rod,so as to allow a limited swinging or rocking movement of the arm independently of the rod. The nut or collar E5 will bear upon the upper face of the arm F.'z with only such force as to prevent undue play, but yet allow the arm to swing or rock horizontally as itslower end is swung by the crankarm. This construction, forming in effect a universal joint, also permits the pitman to move with the frame B as the wheel swings about the tubular post A3, as the latter, to gether `with the rod E, is not capable of rotation. The collars E2 and may be adjusted vertically to compensate for wear.

Upon the outer end of the shaft C the hub F of the wheel D is rigidly secured, the hub comprising a series of short radial arms, F, to which are bolted or otherwise secured a series of longer radial arms or spokes, G, lo which the various sections H of the wheel are pivoted, as shown in Fig. 4.. The outer ends of the arms or spokes G are connected by rods K, by which the wheel is braced and stiffened.

.It will be noticed that the wheel D comprises a number of sections, H, corresponding in number with the radial arms or spokes G, and that each section comprises five (more or IOO less) blades, I, which are rigidly connected one to the other, as illustrated in Figs. l, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Between the opposing faces of the radial blades I are two sets of blocks, J, and passing through the blocks and blades are bolts or tierods L, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, which bind the parts rigidly together and prevent independent movement of the blades of any one section. Each section H of the wheel D is hinged or pivoted to a spoke, G, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, by means of a hinge o'rjoint, M, which is so constructed as to allow each section to turn or swing about an axis nearly coincident with the spoke to which it is hung, in order that the blades ofeach section may be turned with their edges or their side faces to the wind.

In order to accomplish the turning of the blades edgewise to the wind, I employ a sliding collar, N, to which are pivoted the inner forked ends of two arms or levers, O O,Which latter are pivoted at a point between their ends to two of the spokes of wheel D, as shown in Fig. 4, the pivot being of such construction as to admit of a slight longitudinal movement of said arms or levers O O at the same time that they are rocked upon their pivots. One construction by which this may be accomplished is shown in Fig. 4, a loop or slotted plate, a, being secured to the bar to receive the straight connecting portion of a U -shaped bolt, b, while the ends of the latter are secured to the opposing faces of two adjacent spokes.

At their outer ends each of the levers O O' is connected to a blade, I, of one of the sections H by means of links c. The levers O O will preferably be each connected with that blade of its particular section which is farthest removed from the pivotal point of the section in order to obtain greatleverage; but of course the levers O O may be connected with any other blade of the section, though not to so good advantage.

In the drawings I have shown eight sections H and only two levers O O; hence it will be seen that the sections must be so connected that they shall move in unison with the two with which said levers connect. To secure this result I divide the wheel into two groups of sections, one group to be operated by the lever O and the other by the lever O', theseveral sections H of each group being connected with one another at their outer ends by means of links or rods I). The links P extend from one blade in one section to the corresponding blade in the next section, and it will be seen that as one section is rocked by-means of lever O or O' all the other sections belonging to the same group will also be rocked simultaneously and equally.

For the purpose of controlling the featheringof the blades, I provide the collar N with a rotatable sleeve or collar, which encircles tubular arm B4, as shown in Fig. 8, said collar being furnished on opposite sides of the shaft with studs or pins e, to which the inner forked ends of thelevers O Oare jointed or attached. The collar d is provided with a flange, f, which fits into a socket in the main portion of the collar N, as shown in Fig. 8, in which it is retained by a plate, g, secured to the collar N, as shown in Fig. 8. From this construction it follows that the sleeve d, to which are attached the levers O O', may he rotated in either direction independently of the collar N, and that any movement of thelatter longitudinally upon the arm Bt will cause a corresponding movement of sleeve d and serve to turn the section H of the wheel in one or the other direction.

To provide for the automatic governing or regulating of the sections H, I employ a governor-rod, It, which passes centrally' through post A3 and through the tubular pump'rod E to the point where the latter divides, thence outward through the side of the tower and down toward thebase thereof, the upper end of rod R being provided with a cross-head, R', from which two bars or rods, Q Q, extend to collar N. The bars or rods Q Q are jointed to or pivotally connected with the crosshead R and with collar N, and they are supported, at or near their mid-length, by two rods or levers, S S, pivoted at their lower ends to the swinging frame B.

The governor-rod R is pivotally connected, at its lowerend, to a lever, T, which carries ou the opposite side of its pivot from such connection an adjustable weight, U, made in two parts,each grooved to lit the flange of the lever T, t'o which the weight is clamped at any dcsired point by a through-bolt, V, as shown in Fig. l0. Under this arrangement the weight exerts a constant upward pressure upon rod R, which consequently draws upward upon the upper ends of bars Q, the lower ends ot which move inward as the upper ends rise. The inward movement of the lower ends ofthe bars Q, in part due to the action of the rods or levers S, causes collar N and sleeve d to 'move inward also, thereby actuating the levers O O', and, through them, tipping theA wheelsections H out of parallelism with the plane of rotation. As the sections are thus tipped or set at an angle, the blades, which are perpendicular to the faces of the sections, are presented obliquel'y to the wind, and hence the. Wind striking them will cause the wheeL'to rotate. Vhenever the force of the wind exceeds the resistance of the weight U, as multiplied by the leverage given it, the sections will be forced back before the wind, and in tipping will bring their faces perpendicular to the movement ofthe wind, and consequently present the edges ofthe blades to the wind, causing the wheel to lessen its speed or to entirely stop.

It will be seen that by reason of the peculiar construction of the blade-sections the wheel is in its most compact shape and best supported and sustained when the wind blows hardest against it, and this is of course a very important feature of the wheel.

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Under my plan the parts are not thrown out in such shape as to present large faces to the wind or offer great and dangerous leverage in case of sudden change of direction of the wind, and the blade-sections being pivoted at or near the middle of their front sides or faces, there is no tendency to twist or strain the sections or the spokes to which they are hung.

It will be seen, when the wheel is in motion and being retarded by application ofits power, that by the peculiar relative position of the blades to each other the air which strikes the front face of one blade does not produce a counteraction by striking the rear face of the next after it has spent its force on the first, as is the case in the ordinary construction.

Upon reference to FigQG it will be noticed that the cap B' is provided with two (more or less) depending arms or lingers, B, which at their lower ends are bent inward and engage under the lower edge of the collar A4, and thereby hold the fraaie B to its seat.

Upon reference to Figs.v 3 and 4t it will oe seen that the links or rods P, connecting the sections H H, are not connected directly to the blades, but will advisably be attached or secured to an arm or lug formed upon the blocks J.

In Fig. 3 I have indicated by dotted lines a cap or shield, XV, which is to inclose the up` per ends ofthe rods It and E and protect them against water and dirt. It will be provided with a hinged side or cover to permit access to the working parts. The construction of turntable herein described and shown will be wind-wheels, the bearing B2 A5 in line with the shaft andthe bearing B A'l above the latter reducing the horizontal friction on the lower bearing to the minimum.

I am aware that it has been proposed to connect all the blades of a wind-wheel by a ring and to feather them simultaneously when the wind exceeds a predetermined force, and this construction I disclaim.

Havingthus described my invention,whatI claim is# l. In a vaueless windmill, the combination,

. with a shaft, as C, of spokes G, sections H,

each comprising a series of separated blades bound together and each section pivoted to a spoke, levers O O', pivoted between their ends to the spokes G on the side opposite to sections I-I and each connected with one of the sections, and a series of links, I, connecting the sections in two groups, all substantially as shown, whereby the sections are adapted to tip or rock without the aid of special winddetlecting devices when the force of the Wind exceeds the predetermined limit.

2. A wind-wheel composed of a shaft, a hub, a series of spokes, a series of sections hinged to the outer faces of said spokes, each section consisting of a series of blades bound together with their flat faces perpendicular to the face of the section, and links connecting the sec tions in two groups, all substantially as shown.

3. A wind-wheel composed ofa shaft, a hub, a series of spokes, a series of sections hinged to the outer faces of said spokes, each section consisting of a series of blades bound together with 'their flat faces perpendicular to the face of the section, links connecting the sections in two groups, and a governing device connected with the sections and serving to'hold them oblique to the plane of rotation, substantially as described and shown, whereby the blades are held in position to be acted upon by thewind until a predetermined limit isreached, whereupon the sections are caused to tip or rock and present the edges of their blades to the wind.

4. In a windmill, the combination, with'a suitable support, of a main shaft provided with a hub and radial spokes, a series of links connecting the outer ends of the spokes, a series of sections, H, each composed cfa number of blades bound together with their flat faces perpendicular to the face of the section, theseetions each being pivoted to the rear face of the spokes, and apair of levers, O O', mounted upon the wheel and connected at opposite ends with a governor and with the seetions ot the wheel, all substantially as shown and described.

5. A wind-wheel comprising a hub, a series of spokes, a series of sections pivoted to said spokes and unsupported at their ends, and comprising a number of separated blades connected together, the sections being arranged in two groups, those in each group beingeonnected witi one another, and a pair of levers, O O', on the front face of the wheel connected with the two groups, substantially as shown and described.

6. In a windmill, the combination, with a shaft, C, of the wheel provided with the pivoted sections H, the leversO O', pivoted to the spokes of the wheel and connected at their outer ends to the sections H, a sliding collar, N, mounted upon the shaft and pivotally connected with the inner ends of the levers O O', and aweight connected with the collar and tending to move it away from the wheel, substantially as shown.

7. In a windmill, the combination, with a shaft, C, hub F, and spokes G, of the bladesections H, divided into two groups and pivoted tothe spokes, links I, connecting the several sections of each group, a collar, N, mounted loosely upon shaft C, and levers O O', each pivotally connected to a spoke, to the collar N, and to one of the sections.

8. In a windmill, in combination with a shaft, a wheel provided with a series of spokes, G, a series of sections, H, pivoted to the spokes Gon one face, asliding and rotatable collar, N, levers O O', pivoted to spokes G, connected with the collar Nandservingto feather the sections H, a vertically-movable governor-rod, a

-weighted lever at the lower end thereof, and

rods connecting the upper end of the governorrod with the collar N, all substantially as shown.

9. In combination with shaft C, wheel D,

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sliding collar N, and levers O O', arranged and operated substantially as shown, a governorrod, R, links Q, connect-ing the rod R with the collar N, and pivoted supporting` rods S, all substantially as shown.

l0. In combination with the fixed post A3, provided with collars AA1 and A5, Wheel-supporting,` frame B, comprising horizontal sleeve B, cap B', and braces B3 and B5, all arranged substantially as shown and described.

l1. In combination with rod E, provided with concave and conveX collars E2 and E, the crank-shaft C and a pitnian, E", provided with an arm, E3, to tit bet-Ween the collars E2 and E5, all substantially as shown.

12. In a mill of the class described, in combination with the governor-rod, the Wheel D, links Q, and levers O O', collar N, comprising -ianged hub d, having studs e and cap-plateg,

all substantially as shown and described.

13. In combination with post A3, provided with collars A* and A5, Wheel-carrying frame B, provided with cap B and collars B2, to rest upon the collars A* and A5, and with fingers B, to engage the collar A, substantially as shown. i l

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two Witnesses.

' CARY BROVN.

/Vitncsses:

MABEL BROWN, GEO. C. SMITH. 

